Visionary artist, activist and educator Midori began her meteoric career as a violin prodigy. By age 12, she had left audiences around the globe standing and cheering. And The New York Times has declared "she is an artist of inspiring gifts."
WBGO's Doug Doyle spoke with Midori about her upcoming concert at NJPAC on November 5 at 3pm.
In the four decades since her debut with the New York Philharmonic at age 11, the magical violinist has performed with many of the world's most prestigious orchestras and has collaborated with world-renowned musicians like Leonard Bernstein and Yo-Yo Ma. Midori celebrated her 40th anniversary last season with Warner Classic's released of the complete Beethoven sonatas for piano and violin with pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet. She began the current season with a summer appearance at the Santander International Festival, followed by fall tours of Europe and North America with Festival Strings Lucerne.
How often does the Japan-born violin virtuoso think about her debut in New York City?
"First of all if I pass by Lincoln Center I think about it and that's fairly often. It's something that's always in the back of my mind. I do remember the excitement I felt back then of walking out on stage and something happens inside me. This hasn't changed and it's now just about Lincoln Center, it's about every venue."
Born in Osaka in 1971, she began her violin studies with her mother. Midori says practicing has always been a joy for her.
"What I recognized is when you practice right, there is a very clear trajectory that you are going to improve. That in itself is very motivating. I've always loved to perform. I wasn't imagining at all that I would pursue a career in music which is a little bit different from simply performing on stage."
Deeply committed to furthering humanitarian and educational goals, Midori has founded several non-profit organizations: the New York City-based Midori & Friends (to bring music access and education into NYC schools) and Japan-based MUSIC SHARING both celebrated 30th anniversaries in 2022-2023.
"I'm very pleased to see that these organizations have been able to change and are not empty institutions that actually get founded with one idea. These are organizations that are very much interacting with the community. We are constantly re-evaluating how we can serve as agents of change. I don't believe there is one answer to all problems. I think there are many possibilities and we have to tackle problems in many different ways."
In recognition of her work as an artist and humanitarian, Midori serves as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, and was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 2021.
"I saw this (Kennedy Center Honor) to pursue more. Now that I have this award, it opened more doors to be able to reach out more to connect more and to be able to push more for a good cause."
Midori is the Dorothy Richar Starling Chair in Violin Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. She is the recipient of honorary doctorates from Smith College, Yale University, Longy School of Music and Shenandoah University.
You can SEE the entire interview with Midori here.
